Delilah
02-12-11, 09:46 AM
http://www.staffordshirenewsletter.co.uk/News/Dads-heartache-of-seperation-from-baby-01122011.htm
Dad's heartache of seperation from baby
THE birth of a new baby is as much a moment of excitement and joy for dads as it is for new mothers.
It's something that most people tend to take for granted, but imagine as a new father not being able to spend those precious first moments at home with your baby.
The immense joy would no doubt be tinged with a slight sadness.
And this is exactly the situation for one new dad, who prefers to be known only as Peter.
For Peter’s partner is currently a patient at the Brockington unit, where she is staying with their three-month-old baby daughter.
Mum and baby have been there since the birth, due to his partner’s mental health condition.
Peter who lives out of the area is unable to visit every day. Instead he makes the 30-mile journey three times a week to spend time with his family.
“It is a strange feeling,” he says. “I have a little baby but she is not living with me at the moment. “I come here three times a week to visit and I get to do all the normal things, like feeding the baby, giving her a bath and taking her for walks. “I could come here every day if I lived closer but as it’s too far to travel every day. It means that the moments I get to spend with my daughter and the three of us as a family are very precious.” The Brockington takes people from both the Stafford area and beyond.
Patients may suffer with a range of mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, bi-polar disorder or schizophrenia, or they may have a long standing history of illness. It also treats illnesses associated with pregnancy, including severe post-natal depression and puerperal psychosis, which can cause severe depression, insomnia and in some cases hallucinations and delusions.
The unit can take people from 34 weeks pregnant and some women might potentially stay for up to a year after the birth if necessary. But it depends on the condition and how the person recovers. Some might only need to be there for a few weeks, others will need longer.
The staff includes nurses, doctors and a nursery nurse, while midwives and health visitors go in regularly.
Peter said there were issues with his partner’s health during her pregnancy so they were prepared for her becoming a patient at the Brockington following the birth.
They met with a doctor six months before the baby was born and visited the Brockington unit.
“The support here is very good. It is almost not like a hospital. The nurses are helpful and always let you know what is happening and it is good that the babies stay with their mothers.
“My partner was very ill so I am so glad she was able to come here. I wouldn’t have been able to look after her.
“It is a mixture of emotions. I wish I could be with my family all the time but I also want my partner to get better and that is why she is here.
“But she is doing very well now and improving all the time. We are hoping that she will be able to come home very soon.
“I am really looking forward to being able to spend our first Christmas together as a family.”
Dad's heartache of seperation from baby
THE birth of a new baby is as much a moment of excitement and joy for dads as it is for new mothers.
It's something that most people tend to take for granted, but imagine as a new father not being able to spend those precious first moments at home with your baby.
The immense joy would no doubt be tinged with a slight sadness.
And this is exactly the situation for one new dad, who prefers to be known only as Peter.
For Peter’s partner is currently a patient at the Brockington unit, where she is staying with their three-month-old baby daughter.
Mum and baby have been there since the birth, due to his partner’s mental health condition.
Peter who lives out of the area is unable to visit every day. Instead he makes the 30-mile journey three times a week to spend time with his family.
“It is a strange feeling,” he says. “I have a little baby but she is not living with me at the moment. “I come here three times a week to visit and I get to do all the normal things, like feeding the baby, giving her a bath and taking her for walks. “I could come here every day if I lived closer but as it’s too far to travel every day. It means that the moments I get to spend with my daughter and the three of us as a family are very precious.” The Brockington takes people from both the Stafford area and beyond.
Patients may suffer with a range of mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, bi-polar disorder or schizophrenia, or they may have a long standing history of illness. It also treats illnesses associated with pregnancy, including severe post-natal depression and puerperal psychosis, which can cause severe depression, insomnia and in some cases hallucinations and delusions.
The unit can take people from 34 weeks pregnant and some women might potentially stay for up to a year after the birth if necessary. But it depends on the condition and how the person recovers. Some might only need to be there for a few weeks, others will need longer.
The staff includes nurses, doctors and a nursery nurse, while midwives and health visitors go in regularly.
Peter said there were issues with his partner’s health during her pregnancy so they were prepared for her becoming a patient at the Brockington following the birth.
They met with a doctor six months before the baby was born and visited the Brockington unit.
“The support here is very good. It is almost not like a hospital. The nurses are helpful and always let you know what is happening and it is good that the babies stay with their mothers.
“My partner was very ill so I am so glad she was able to come here. I wouldn’t have been able to look after her.
“It is a mixture of emotions. I wish I could be with my family all the time but I also want my partner to get better and that is why she is here.
“But she is doing very well now and improving all the time. We are hoping that she will be able to come home very soon.
“I am really looking forward to being able to spend our first Christmas together as a family.”